Sullivan County—Late Friday, Indiana State Police arrested the father of a nearly three month old infant female on two felony counts, related to physical injuries involving the infant.
Eric W. Tharp, age 46, of Farmersburg, IN. was arrested on Sullivan County warrants for Count 1 Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Less than 14-years-of-age; and Count 2 Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Tharp was arrested in Rockville (Parke County) at the home of a relative and incarcerated in the Parke County Jail. Tharp is awaiting transfer to the Sullivan County Jail.
The investigation began in early August after the Indiana State Police received information from both the Indiana Department of Child Services Sullivan County and Riley Children’s Hospital of Indianapolis concerning multiple injuries to the infant.
During the course of the ISP investigation, Detective Angie Hahn was able to develop information alleging the young infant sustained multiple fractures and other injuries while in the care of her father, Eric W. Tharp, at their Sullivan County home.
The infant has undergone treatment and has since been released from the hospital. The victim and two other siblings, with cooperation of the mother, are in the care of other relatives at this time. Investigators believe and evidence suggests, that the mother was not involved with the injuries sustained by the daughter.
Lead investigator was ISP Detective Angie Hahn. Assisting were ISP Master Trooper Jeremy Lewis, Indiana Department of Child Services Sullivan County, Sullivan County Prosecutor's Office, and Riley Children’s Hospital.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
